The Origin of Day and Night (2018), written by Paula Ikuutaq Rumboltand and illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko, is an Inuit tale passed orally from generation to generation. It’s the story of a fox who can only see to find food at night and a hare who can only see to find food in the light. The two animals struggle to find enough to eat before the other uses powerful magic language to conjure their preferred lighting. They eventually agree to strike a balance between day and night for their mutual survival.

Evocative illustrations, at once simple and rich with detail, as well as a thoughtfully unfolding narrative bring this beautiful origin story to life. I highly recommend this book for school and home libraries. It makes a sweet bedtime story for those who have outgrown Sweetest Kulu, another Inhabit Media offering.

Inhabit Media does a wonderful making a range of Inuit stories available. I’ve never read a book by this press that I didn’t love, and they offer an admirably eclectic range of themes and styles.